I am a music person. I have a mix CD (or playlist for those of you who were born after 1990 and aren’t familiar with the now-archaic mix CD) for every mood, occasion, and important (or not important) event.
There are very few words in the English language that don’t trigger a memory of some lyric. Most of my life is lived to the soundtrack of the songs triggered by these words.
I have entire relationships based mainly on a shared affinity for music. Our conversations are about music and musicians, we attend concerts together, and buy each other CDs for every occasion.
I am a music person.
It’s only natural that this love of music carries over into my relationship with Jesus. David was a musician. The Psalms were meant to be sung, and I can always find something there that eloquently expresses my thoughts and feelings to the Lord.
Singing songs in praise and worship is probably one of my favorite parts about going to church. I love to use music to express feelings to the Lord. Music is one of the best ways for me to do that.
I also love to do this with people. I think it’s such an awesome experience to have the band playing and everyone singing together to praise the Lord. It’s incredible to be together and all create something together to honor the Lord.
However, sometimes, the music gets in the way of really worshipping the Lord.
A couple of weeks ago, our youth pastor challenged all of us to worship without music. I’m not gonna lie, it was a little awkward at first. But, it made me realize that a lot of the time, I’m pretty dependant on lyrics of a song to express my worship to my God.
Practicing worshipping without music has really challenged me to express my own thoughts, my own praises, my own individualized worship to the Lord. Sometimes it comes out in a little song that’s all my own. Sometimes it looks (and sounds) a lot more like just praying. Sometimes it’s pretty quiet. Any way it comes out, it’s definitely real and completely mine.
So, give it a shot. Try to worship without music. See what comes out of your heart. It might surprise you a little bit. 
October 13th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I thought this was really cool. I am also a lover of music and am on my church’s worship team..but sometimes..actually alot of times, i can’t worship…i don’t know why. Any suggestions?
October 28th, 2008 at 4:50 am
Good for people to know.
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
i absolutely love music and have tried worshipping w/o it and it can be difficult at first, but its worth it. I felt so much more closer to God when i got used to it b/c i stepped out of my comfort zone to praise Him!